TAMPA 鈥� Sometimes bridging the expanse between classroom learning and landing a job
can be a tough assignment.
But it doesn鈥檛 have to be.
That was the message from USF Bellini Center for Talent Development Program Director
Doug Meyn, who delivered a presentation on the future of student engagement and professional
development at Educause 2025, a national conference that connects the best thinkers
in higher education technology.
鈥淭he need for professional and career development at the university level is vital.
We鈥檙e one of the few institutions in the country who has figured out a way to integrate
it into the curriculum," said Meyn. "We've now seen that this capability drives student
success by building awareness and professional skillsets, which then lead to experiential
learning opportunities."
Notably, the center saw a dramatic jump in student internships 鈥� a 71% increase 鈥�
from the Bellini certification program鈥檚 inception in Fall 2023 to Spring 2025.
At Educause, the Bellini Center鈥檚 model was recognized as a featured poster presentation for bridging academic learning with
experiential opportunities using a seamless interface where certification program
assignments are embedded within a professor鈥檚 Canvas course, the web-based system
that organizes class assignments and learning modules.
The center is leading the conversation around how higher education can better connect
learning outcomes with employability in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.
Its integrated approach helps students track their professional development journey
while giving faculty and employers greater insight into students鈥� growth and readiness.
Launched in Fall 2023 in partnership with Suitable, the Bellini certification program
has been incorporated into over 300 courses, generating more than 50,000 activity
completions. To date, 56 students have achieved certification, while thousands more
are actively progressing toward completion.
Meyn said embedding the program into a student鈥檚 core coursework has made a big difference
in participation and completions.
鈥淭he program itself was built from feedback from employers and faculty have been very
supportive, in terms of awareness and promoting it to students,鈥� he said.